John Lyon's London Marathon Report

John Lyon ran the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, click here to find out why. This is his report on the day.

An early carbohydrate-packed breakfast before boarding the 7.30 coach to the start, then nearly two hours in a field in Greenwich with 36,000 other entrants, all engaged in the vicious-circle of drinking enough to keep hydrated, before joining never-ending queues for the portaloos. There’s a short sharp shower just before the start, but the promised hot weather fails to materialise, and the day turns out mostly overcast and not too warm, pretty good for running.

Suddenly, full of expectation we’re underway. For the first few miles I run alongside a gingerbread-man and Uncle Bulgaria, clocking 11 minute miles, just right for my target of breaking 5 hours. I overtake Scooby-do and Darth Vader, no sign of any celebs, but bands are playing, the crowds cheering, this is great, the suns even poking through - then at 19 miles the wheels come off! I know I’m in trouble when a pantomime camel overtakes me - It’s the dreaded “Wall”. My body screams stop, and the last 6 or 7 miles seem unending, but spurred on by the fantastic crowds lining the route I keep going, and with immense relief stumble over the finishing line in 5 hours 11 minutes 10 seconds.

The marathon probably the hardest thing I will ever put my body through, but what a day, a roller-coaster of events, never to be matched, It teaches you a great deal about yourself – your inner strength and sense of determination! I would recommend this event to anyone looking to achieve a goal in life, you will never match the high. First class.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far, the money is still rolling in and we could well hit our target of £2,000 to be split equally between the Lymphoma Society and the Alaw Ward of my local hospital Ysbyty Gwynedd Bangor. It’s not too late to sponsor me simply go to www.justgiving.com/Lyon-John